The list of elite quarterbacks shouldn't have 20 names on it. The criteria should be tougher, including maybe the top 10 quarterbacks at most.

By those standards, Joe Flacco is not an elite quarterback. He certainly was not an elite quarterback Sunday when the Texans hammered the Ravens, 43-13.

For the third time in seven games, Flacco’s quarterback rating was less than 70. Sunday's rating was a season-low 45.4, with Flacco (21-for-43, 147 yards, one touchdown, two picks) having his worst game of the year. During one first half stretch, Flacco misfired on nine of 10 passes, including a pick-six.

For the season, Flacco doesn't rank in the top 10 in quarterback rating, completion percentage, touchdown passes or yards per completion. That's not elite.

This isn’t meant just to dump on Flacco. Philip Rivers has been nowhere near elite this season either, nor has Michael Vick.

Flacco’s case is interesting, however, because he is a consistent winner. He has never missed the playoffs in four seasons, and even with Sunday’s loss, the Ravens still were 5-2, with a good chance to reach the playoffs again.

Clearly, you can win plenty of games with Flacco as your quarterback. His arm strength is among the NFL's best. Watching the way Flacco shook off some the hits he took Sunday, nobody was questioning Flacco’s toughness either. The Texans brought plenty of pressure, and the Ravens’ offensive line didn't hold up.

The elite player on the Ravens’ offense is Ray Rice, not Flacco. The Ravens act like they forget that at times. When they do, they get in trouble.

Rice only had nine carries Sunday, gaining 42 yards. Once the game got out of hand, the Ravens were forced to abandon the running attack. But the Ravens’ game plan seemed tilted too much toward the passing game from the get-go.

The Ravens threw on eight of their last nine plays of the first quarter, when the game still was tight. On one of those passes, Flacco was sacked for a safety. The play before that, Flacco had just fumbled and the Ravens were fortunate to get the ball back.

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and coach John Harbaugh have some reevaluating to do during their upcoming bye week. The Ravens have won 10 straight when Rice runs for 100 yards or more. That’s still their best formula for success, not more dependence on their no-huddle offense, despite Flacco’s affinity for it.

At 27 years old, Flacco has done plenty to convince the Ravens he should be their starting quarterback for years to come. Quarterbacks with his talent, size and work ethic are not found easily.

However, with the loss of Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb, Baltimore’s defense is not what it once was, even with the return of Terrell Suggs. The Ravens will need Flacco to play better after the bye, if they are going to break through and get to a Super Bowl.

Calling someone an elite quarterback should be reserved for the cream of the crop. Flacco still must rise to get there.